How to water potted orchids? Master the correct watering method

When should orchids be watered?

1. Judge based on the condition of the orchid leaves and the dryness or moisture of the pot surface. If the orchid leaves show mild dehydration and the potting medium on the surface has dried out completely, dig about 5 cm into the surface medium, and if it is still dry, it means the medium no longer has enough moisture and should be watered.

2. Carefully insert a bamboo stick into a suitable position in the orchid pot, pull it out after about one hour, and judge how much water the potting medium contains based on how damp the bamboo stick is.

3. Pick up a pot of orchids, hold it next to your ear, and tap the rim of the pot lightly with your hand. If the sound is dull, it means the medium still holds plenty of water; if the sound is crisp, it is time to water. However, this method requires a certain amount of experience and is not easy for most people to master.

Key points for watering orchids

1. Water as appropriate according to seasonal changes and the specific growth conditions of the orchids. In spring, summer and autumn, when orchids are in their vigorous growth period, they should be watered frequently and thoroughly, and never watered only halfway. During the high-temperature period of midsummer, they should also be watered frequently, plentifully and thoroughly, and never watered only halfway, so as to help eliminate stale air in the pot. From late autumn to early spring, when temperatures are low and the plants grow slowly, they should be watered less. In the cold winter season, when the plants basically stop growing, they should be watered less or not at all, but the potting soil must be kept moist; otherwise it will affect the smooth progress of the plant's metabolism, delay the time for young shoots to emerge, and leave the young shoots thin and weak.

2. Watering should be based on the size of the orchid pot and the number of plants. With a large pot and many plants, water frequently, plentifully and thoroughly, and never water only halfway. With a small pot and few plants, water frequently but in smaller amounts and thoroughly, and never water only halfway.

3. Water according to the potting medium. Coarse, hard media have good aeration and drainage but very poor water and nutrient retention, so water frequently, plentifully and thoroughly, never water only halfway, and also fertilize frequently. Mixed hard and soft media have relatively poorer aeration and drainage but relatively better water and nutrient retention, so the intervals between watering and fertilizing should be appropriately extended. Soft media have relatively even poorer aeration and drainage but better water and nutrient retention, so the intervals between watering and fertilizing should be extended even more.

Orchid watering methods

1. Pouring: Pouring means using a watering can to pour water along the edge of the pot. The advantage of this method is that water will not get into the heart of the leaves; the disadvantage is that watering is slow and it is hard to water thoroughly, so repeated pouring is needed to achieve a thorough watering.

2. Sprinkling: Sprinkling means using a spray bottle or shower head to sprinkle water, wetting the entire orchid-growing environment and letting water seep from the soil surface to the orchid roots, moistening the orchid pot. The advantage of this method is that the water can thoroughly wet the whole orchid pot; the disadvantage is that water easily splashes into the heart of the leaves, so it must be used carefully, otherwise the heart will rot.

3. Soaking: Soaking means immersing three-quarters of the orchid pot together with the potting medium in water. The advantage is that the water can soak through; the disadvantage is that it easily spreads bacteria and takes labor and time. Expert orchid growers often combine these three methods, with very ideal results.

4. Misting: Misting means using a sprayer to spray out a fine mist that settles directly on the orchid leaves, allowing the leaves to absorb it into the plant through their stomata.

5. Humidifying: Humidifying means increasing air humidity for the orchid leaves to absorb, and there are also several humidifying methods.

(1) Use a humidifier to create mist and increase the humidity of the space.

(2) Increase the water surface area by placing more water basins under the orchid stand, relying on water evaporation to increase the humidity of the space.

(3) Artificially simulate rainfall, splashing up water mist to increase air humidity. In addition, some use an oxygen pump placed in a water basin to help volatilize water vapor, and so on.